Join Ductmate at the 2024 AHR Expo

Posted on by Ductmate Industries

Join Ductmate at the 2024 AHR Expo in Chicago, Illinois, on January 22-24, 2024, at booth #S8110.  See the latest products from Ductmate, Aire Technologies, GreenSeam, and Linx Industries, and learn how DMI is your one source for infinite solutions.

The AHR Expo brings together manufacturers and suppliers of all sizes and specialties to share ideas and showcase the future of HVACR technology. It’s the industry’s best place for OEMs, engineers, contractors, facility operators, architects, educators, and other professionals to experience everything new in HVACR and build the vital relationships that grow businesses and careers.

We hope to see you there! Learn more about the AHR Expo at ahrexpo.com.

Airthings for Business: The Complete IAQ Solution

Posted on by Ductmate Industries

Indoor air quality is often up to five times worse than outside.  Considering most people spend 90% of their time inside, it’s time for a smarter solution.

Why is Indoor Air Quality Important?

People spend a lot of time indoors, so it’s no surprise that Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is strongly and directly connected to health and well-being. According to the US Environment Protection Agency, indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental risks to public health.  Annually, 3.8 million people worldwide prematurely die from illnesses attributable to indoor air pollution.

Poor indoor air quality can cause short-term issues, like headaches, inflammation of the nose, throat and eyes, and flare-ups of pneumonia or bronchitis, or it can contribute to long-term problems like cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer.  It has also been associated with aggravating respiratory issues, including asthma.

Improving indoor air quality is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure good health and optimal comfort.

What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air quality largely comes down to several key contaminants and components, which are known to play a role in comfort and health.

Pollutants that can affect the air quality inside buildings fall into one or more of the following categories:

Particulate Matter (PM):

Particulate matter is a range of dust, dirt, and liquid particles that become suspended in the air.  This includes dust, smoke and tobacco smoke, pollen, animal dander, particles generated from combustion appliances, and particles associated with dust mites, mold, and bacteria.

Some are large enough to see, like smoke, smog, or soot. The healthier the air, the fewer PMs.

Airborne Chemicals/Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):

Airborne chemicals/Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) come from combustion processes such as solid fuel heating, gas cooking stoves, vehicle exhaust, and tobacco smoke.  They can also come from building materials, furnishings, adhesives, paint, varnish, cleaning products, and pesticides.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2):

Emitted naturally by breathing, CO2 can build up in poorly ventilated buildings where the air is recycled.  High concentrations are linked to poor decision-making, low productivity, and infectious disease transmission.

Environmental Pollution & Radon:

Environmental pollution indoors comes from outside contaminants like vehicle fumes and industrial pollution that can seep into buildings.  It can also come from naturally occurring gases like radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps into buildings from rocks and soil and can build up to dangerous levels indoors.

Human Contamination/Virus Risk:

People in buildings are often carriers of viruses that can spread through the air.

Improved indoor air quality can help stop the risk of airborne viruses, including SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus), and other viruses.  The Biden-Harris Administration identified improved indoor air quality as an important tool to fight the spread of airborne diseases in the American Pandemic Preparedness Plan in September 2021, and the National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan prioritized it again in March 2022.

SMACNA Prioritizes IAQ

Recently, SMACNA launched WeAreWhatWeBreathe.com, a new web resource designed to raise public awareness for indoor air pollution and how indoor air quality (IAQ) improvements can help improve occupants’ health.  This comprehensive site is a destination for private and public stakeholders to explore how ventilation, airflow, and indoor air quality impact schools, homes, and office settings.

“The pandemic shined a much-needed light on indoor air quality and some of the major health concerns arising in our schools, homes, and workplaces,” SMACNA Chief Executive Officer Aaron Hilger said. “As a standard-setting organization, SMACNA is proud to play a leading role in addressing the impact of poor ventilation and air quality on our lives. We hope this website will be a helpful resource while instilling a sense of urgency for building owners and school systems to provide tenants with the clean, quality air they deserve.”

To learn more about indoor air pollutants and the need for better ventilation, visit WeAreWhatWeBreathe.com.

The Solution: Airthings for Business

Like other environmental health risks, IAQ can easily and reliably be monitored to assess risks and improve air quality.  Airthings provides the complete solution to improving the health and well-being of your building and its occupants.

Ductmate now offers the Airthings Space Hub, Space Pro, Space Plus, Space Nano, and Space CO2 Mini devices to building owners to help map out issues within their facilities and target the root causes of poor air quality and energy inefficiency in their buildings.  These three products can be configured to meet the needs of virtually any small to medium-sized commercial or institutional structure, including schools, offices, hospitals, and more.

Depending on the product, Airthings devices monitor particulate matter (PM), carbon dioxide (CO2), airborne chemicals (VOCs), temperature, and more, as well as its virtual sensors that monitor occupancy and virus risk.  When paired with the Airthings dashboard, you can monitor data remotely in real time and make smarter decisions to improve your indoor air quality and energy efficiency levels.

Why suffer through poor indoor air quality that can adversely affect your health when there’s a simple solution? And when it comes to energy bills, why pay more than you have to? On average, an Airthings for Business customer saves up to 20% on energy costs.

Where Can I Buy Airthings?

Ready to buy Airthings? To purchase the Airthings for Business solution, please contact Ductmate customer service at 1 (800) 990-8459.

Ductmate Announces the Passing of William “Bill” Bradford Jr

Posted on by Ductmate Industries

Sheet Metal Industry Icon, Ductmate’s First Foreman Passes Away at 85

Ductmate Industries, leadership and employees are saddened to report that William “Bill” Bradford Jr., 85, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023.

Bill was a colleague and mentor to many in the sheet metal industry, as well as the first SNIPS Industry Icon. With over 55 years of experience, he was Ductmate Industries’ first shop foreman hired after the company’s inception in 1978. Bill assisted Peter J. Arnoldt, one of the founders of Ductmate, in building the original Ductmate 35 production line and spent countless hours perfecting the product that revolutionized the HVAC industry.

Once production began, Bill managed and directed Ductmate’s first group of employees to staff the factory. He trained hundreds of sheet metal workers and customers to properly install the Ductmate 25/35 Systems and quickly advanced within the organization. Bill held the following positions throughout his time at Ductmate: Foreman, Factory Superintendent, Field Service Manager and National Service Manager.

From his early days of running the Ductmate facility to traveling and working with contractors, end users and distributors, Bill’s impact on the sheet metal and HVAC industry cannot be overstated.

Bill was born on Aug. 13, 1937, in Pittsburgh to the late William and Frances (Matuszewski) Bradford Sr. and graduated from Oliver High School in 1955. Following graduation, he served for four years in the U.S. Airforce. Upon honorable discharge, he wished to continue his service by joining the Air Force Reserve, followed by the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, serving twenty more years.

Bill joined Ductmate in 1978 for his distinguished 32-year career. Although he officially retired in 2009, Bill remained a staple at training classes and industry events through 2019, sharing his knowledge with future generations of employees, sheet metal workers and customers for 10 years post-retirement.

Bill is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of over 61 years, Joanne (Kaiser) Bradford, Joanne’s sister Jeanne J. Zeigler; his children Renee J. (Shawn) Pennington, William C. (Lori) Bradford; his grandchildren Ryan B. Pennington, Evan L. (Brenna) Pennington, Aila M. (Joshua) Freed, Hannah J. Bradford and William “Tanner” Bradford; his great-grandchildren Logan R. Pennington and baby-to-be Freed; his siblings Richard (Jane) Bradford, Terry (Christine) Bradford and Donna L. (Robert) Cunningham, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bill considered the employees of Ductmate his second family. Throughout his career, he touched the hearts of many Ductmate employees and industry professionals. As a tribute, The William Bradford Training Center at DMI’s corporate headquarters in Charleroi was dedicated to him over a decade ago. Bill Bradford Jr. created a legacy within the industry and with Ductmate that ensures that he will be missed but never forgotten.

Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council Releases Playbook for Competitiveness

Posted on by Ductmate Industries

DMI Companies, Inc.’s President and CEO Ray Yeager has worked closely with the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council and other manufacturers for the past 18 months to develop a complete Manufacturing Competitiveness Playbook that is now available to the public.

DMI is a World Class Manufacturing enterprise because of its employees and strategic plan for success. All Pennsylvania manufacturers can reach this level of success if they utilize the Playbook blueprint.

The Playbook recommends three game changers for improving Pennsylvania manufacturing’s competitive position:
• Recapture Pennsylvania’s manufacturing competitive advantage by aggressively pursuing manufacturing growth sectors to drive prosperity.
• Invest in the factory of the future to boost the performance of small and medium-sized companies, improve the quality of manufacturing jobs, and provide better career options for more of Pennsylvania’s citizens.
• Unleash the power of advanced manufacturing to drive regional prosperity through policies and services that are more responsive to the needs of manufacturers.

The manufacturing sector is fundamental to Pennsylvania’s economic success, can compete more effectively, and offers a growing number of well-paying jobs, but the sector needs the commonwealth’s help. That’s the findings from a new report released by the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council, a nonpartisan partnership of manufacturers and public support organizations. Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing Competitiveness Playbook identifies three game changers for Pennsylvanian manufacturing and offers ten actionable strategies to help make Pennsylvania’s manufacturing economy more robust and resilient.

“It’s vital that we do more for manufacturing because it represents one of Pennsylvania’s largest sectors, pays better than most others, and offers good benefits,” COO of the Berks County Workforce Development Board and Council Co-Chair Dan Fogarty said. “The Playbook is a great first step toward coming together around how we can be there for the sector and for communities across the Commonwealth that both support and benefit from our great industrial employers,” he added.

Manufacturing contributes $113 billion to Pennsylvania’s GDP and employs an estimated 563,000 Pennsylvanians. Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing Competitiveness Playbook includes recommendations developed by a group of 25 manufacturing and public leaders with the help of recommendations and insights offered by more than 500 manufacturers from across the Commonwealth.

The Playbook builds on Pennsylvania’s historic strengths in manufacturing and captures a vision for Pennsylvania’s future as a global leader in advanced manufacturing.

DMI urges Pennsylvania manufacturers to take the time to read the Playbook and share it with their colleagues, friends, and business associates.

CLICK HERE to download the full Playbook from the Manufacturing Advisory Council’s website.